Automatically operating bookmark



R. E. HUPP ETAL AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING BOOKMARK May 7, 1968 2.Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 12, 1967 FIG. 4 A

FIG. 2

INVENTORS ROSS E. HUPP WILLIAM R. GALLAGHER May' 7, 1968 R. E. HUPP ETAL3,331,654

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING BOOKMARK Filed May 12, 1967 2 Sheets-SheetINVENTORS ROSS E. HUPP WILLlAM R- GALLAGHER United Statesv Patent3,381,654 AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING BOOKMARK Ross E. Hupp, 4961 La GamaWay, Santa Barbara, Calif. 93105, and William R. Gallagher, 1550Hillside Drive, Glendale, Calif. 91208 Continuation-impart of abandonedapplication Ser. No. 560,218, June 24, 1966. This application May 12,1967, Ser. No. 648,514

6 Claims. (Cl. 116-119) ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE A one-piece bookmark madeof a plane strip of flexible, resilient material has a clip portionspaced from one end with a holding tongue in the plane of the strip toclip the bookmark to pages of a book and an indicator portion with apage indicating marking tongue at the end of the strip with the free endof the page indicating tongue extending over the clip portion so thatthe end of the page indicating tongue will overlie pages of the book.The edge of the page indicating tongue is inclined so that turning apage will automatically cam the tongue out of the path of the page, thetongue returning to its original position to indicate the next page.

The tongues are formed from the plane of the strip by slitting the stripwith the ends of the slits curved to distribute the stress of flexingand bending the tongues and to provide space for pages held by theholding tongue. The material adjacent the end of the slit in the clipportion is deflected from the plane of the strip to provide greatergripping effect of the clip portion. The clip portion and indicatorportion may be joined along a bend or crease in the strip to form anangle between the portions so the page indicating tongue may overliemore pages.

Copending application This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser.No. 560,218, filed June 24, 1966, for Automatically Operating Bookmark,now abandoned.

Summary of invention The principal object of this invention is abookmark formed from flat material which may be clipped to a number ofpages with a marking or page indicating tongue having its free endoverlying pages of the book and formed to be moved out of the path of apage as it is turned and to return to its position to indicate the nextpage.

A clip portion spaced from the end has a holding tongue formed byslitting the strip so pages of a book may be held by the tongue and bodyof the strip. The end forms an indicator portion having a pageindicating or marking tongue so connected that its free end extends overthe clip portion and the connection of the holding tongue. The edge ofthe indicating tongue is inclined to be engaged by a page as the page isturned and to be cammed out of its path, the resilience of the tonguerestoring it to its position over the margin of the next page.

The ends of the slits terminate in curved cuts to distribute thestresses, either by curved ends of the slits or by apertures adjoiningthe ends of the slits. These curved cuts also provide space for thepages of the book which the clip portion engages. The material adjacentthe ends of the slits in the clip portion may be deflected out of theplane of the strip to increase the holding effect of the clip portion. Atransverse bend or crease at the juncture of the clip portion and theindicator portion of the strip forms an angle between the indicator andclip portions and enables the end of the indicating or marking tongue tooverlie a greater number of pages.

3,381,654 Patented May 7, 1968 Further objects and advantages will beapparent from the following description and drawings of specificembodiments of the invention.

The drawings FIGURE 1 shows a book B with the mark in position of use.

FIGURE 2 shows a plan view of the bookmark.

FIGURE 3 shows one modified form of mark.

FIGURE 4 shows a second modified form.

FIGURE 5 shows a plan view of a modified form of bookmark.

FIGURE 5a is a side elevation of the bookmark of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 6- is a cross section on line 66 of FIG- URE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a further modification.

FIGURE 8 is a cross section on line 8-8 of FIG- URE 7.

FIGURE 9 shows a plan view of a further modification.

FIGURE 10 is a cross section on line 1010 of FIG- URE 9.

FIGURE 11 shows a plan view of a further modification.

FIGURE 12 is a cross section on line 12-12 of FIG- UR'E 11.

Description of invention The bookmark 1 is in the form of a planeelement or strip of flexible material, such as a plastic sheet. At oneend, a marking or indicator portion has a tapered page indicating tongue2 formed by slitting the strip at 3, leaving an integral connection 4 tothe strip at the base of the tongue to form a flexible, resilient hingeportion. An aperture 5 at the base end of each slit increases theflexibility and distributes the stress caused by bending or pulling thetongue, so that rupture of the material is avoided. The apertures maytake various forms, such as added transverse slits.

A clip portion integral with the indicator portion and spaced from theend of the strip has a second tongue 6 similarly formed in the stripwith its hinge portions 4a intermediate the sides of the first tongue 2,so that page indicating tongue 2 extends a substantial distance into thearea of the clip portion and tongue 6, as shown in FIGURE 2. The hingeportions 4a between the apertures 5 of tongue 6 and the slit 3 of tongue2 provide a very flexible hinge for the tongue 6.

The body of the strip 1 at the tip of each tongue is cut out as at 7 toleave a space between the tip of the tongue and the body of the strip,so that the tongue is free to be flexed out of the plane of the strip.

In use, the stri 1 is inserted in the book B in back of the position ofthe pages in use, the clip portion with the tongue 6 engaging severalpages to hold the bookmark in the book. Then, as shown in FIGURE 1, thetapered tip end of page indicating or marking tongue 2 will lie in frontof the margin of the page to which the book B is open. As each page isturned, it engages the inclined edge of the page indicating tongue 2,which resiliently hinges about the connection at 4, and resumes itsposition in front of the next page, the body of the strip and theholding tongue 6 maintaining the position of the bookmark in the bookwith the end of marking or indicating tongue 2 overlying the pages ofthe book.

The strip 1 may be of any flexible material, such as sheet plastic whichhas been found to be durable and attractive. This material may betransparent or translucent, and may have printing or advertising on itsface. In the flat form, the bookmarks may be stacked easily and areinexpensive to manufacture and distribute. Additional indicia may beincorporated, as for use as a ruler, calendar, etc.

An especially inexpensive and convenient material is old motion picturefilm after removal of the emulsion. As shown in FIGURE 3, the strip 11is formed with a plurality of tongues 12 and I by convergent slits 13from the sprocket holes 15 to the tips of the tongues. The sharp tip iscut off to leave a space 17, similar to the space in FIGURE 2.

This element 11 may be provided with several tongues along its length,the tongues overlapping as do tongues 12 and 15. It the end tongue inuse becomes torn or separated, the next tongue may then be used for themarking or indicating tongue, and the next adjacent tongue will serve tohold the strip in the book. The sprocket holes 15 at the ends of theslits serve to relieve stress in the hinge portion the same as the holes5 in FIGURE 2.

An example of formation of a strip element of indefinite length whichmay be cut to form bookmarks according to this invention is shown inFIGURE 4. This element 21 is slit at 23 to form successive tongue 22.The slits 23 end in stress-relieving apertures 25 and the tips of thetongues are cut otf to leave spaces 27. If the upper tongues become tornor ruptured, the strip may be cut ofi as at dotted line 28, leaving thenext successive tongues to act as the bookmark. In the same manner, thestrip 21 may be made of indefinite length, and separated into individualbookmarks for use.

The bookmarks 31 shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 has incorporated certainimproved features. The strip 31 has a clip portion 32 with a holdingtongue 33 and an indicator marking portion 34, a bend or crease 35forming an angle between the juncture of the two portions. This bendenables the indicating tongue as to overlie more pages than in the formin FIGURE 2.

In the clip portion 32, the tongue 33 has the edges of the ends of slit37 connected to apertures 38 deflected out of the plane of the strip at39. These edges are deilected in a direction to engage the pages of abook held between the body of strip 31 and tongue 33. These edgesincrease the gripping effect of the clip portion and maintain the clipportion in position without the likelihood of falling out of place.

In FIGURES 7 and 8, the edges 43 of the body of the clip portion 42 atthe ends of slit 44 are deflected out of the plane of strip 41, toengage pages held between the tongue 47 and strip 41. The indicator ormarking portion may be bent at an angle to clip portion 42 about theline 46.

In FIGURES 9 and 10, the strip 51 is bent at an angle to form a juncturebetween clip portion 52 with the holding tongue 53 and the indicatorportion with page indicating tongue 55. The holding tongue 53 andindicating tongue 56 are formed by slits 54 and 57 ending insemicircular curved cuts and 58, respectively, without removal of anymaterial of the strip. These curved cuts at the ends of the slits reducethe stress concentration of any pulling or bending of the tongues, andin the clip portion also provide space for the pages of the book. Inthis form, no material is removed which might interfere with the diecutting process.

The semicircular cuts 55 in the clip portion 52 extend into the body ofthe clip to encompass the portions 59 or the body of the strip. Theseportions 59 are deflected out of the plane of the strip to provide aneffective grip on the pages of a book engaged by the clip portion.

The tongues 63 and 66 of the bookmark 61 in FIG- URES 11 and 12, whichis similar to that in FIGURE 9, are also formed by slits ending insemicircular cuts 64, 65, but the cuts in the clip portion extend intothe tongue 63 to encompass portions 69, which are deflected out of theplane of the strip to grip the pages of a book.

In all or": the bookmarks shown, the clip portion holds the bookmark onpages of a book and limits its insertion, so that only the tip of thepage indicating tongue will overlie the pages being turned. As each pageis turned, the inclined edge of the indicating tongue cams the tongueout of the path of the pages, and the resilience of the tongue restoresit to its position to indicate the succeeding page.

The curved cuts at the ends of the slits, whether forming a completeaperture of 360 or a semicircle of 180, reduce stress concentration andprovide space in the clip portion for pages of a book. The deflectededges along the slits assure retention of the bookmark in place, and thetransverse bend enables greater spacing of the marking portion andindicating tongue. Any suitable material which flexes and has suflicientresilience to resume its original position may be used, includingcertain types of paper, especially if properly treated, and variousresinous plastics.

The invention may be embodied in various modifications without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention claimed.

What is claimed is:

I. An automatically operating bookmark formed from a substantially planestrip of flexible, resilient material which returns to its originalshape after being flexed in use, said bookmark comprising a clip portionhaving a holding tongue in the plane of said clip portion connected tothe body of said strip by integral, flexible hinge connections spacedfrom one end of said strip, said holding tongue extending toward theopposite end of said strip and being formed from the material of saidstrip by slitting said strip along the sides of said tongue between saidintegral connections and the end of said tongue, one edge of each end ofthe slit adjacent an integral hinge connection being deflected out ofthe plane of the strip in a direction to engage the pages to secure theclip portion on the book, and an indicator portion adjacent said one endhaving a page indicating tongue integrally, flexibly connected to thebody of said strip spaced from said clip portion adjacent said one endand formed from the material of said strip by slitting said strip fromadjacent said end of said strip and extending past the integral hingeconnections of said holding tongue so that the tip of said indicatingtongue overlaps said clip portion and holding tongue and pages of a bookon which said clip portion is engaged, the tip of said indicating tonguehavin an edge inclined to the longitudinal direction of said strip sothat underlying pages will cam said indicating tongue out of their pathas said pages are turned.

2. A bookmark as claimed in claim 1, in which the slits forming thetongues terminate in apertures at said integral portions to increaseflexibility and to relieve the concentration of stress and to receiveedges of pages on which the clip portion is engaged.

3. A bookmark as claimed in claim 1, in which the integral connectionbetween the indicator portion and clip portion is defined by a bendacross the strip, to provide an angle between the clip portion and theindicator portion so said indicating tongue may be spaced from said clipportion when the clip portion is held in a book.

4. An automatically operating bookmark formed from a substantially planestrip of flexible, resilient material which returns to its originalshape after being flexed in use, said bookmark comprising a clip portionhaving a holding tongue in the plane of said clip portion connected tothe body of said strip by integral, flexible hinge connections spacedfrom one end of said strip, said holding tongue extending toward theopposite end of said strip and being formed from the material of saidstrip by slitting said strip along the sides of said tongue between saidintegral connections and the end of said tongue, each end of the slitadjacent an integral hinge connection terminating in a curved cut of atleast 180 to avoid stress concentration and to provide space for pagesof a book to which said clip portion is applied, material of said stripadjacent each of said curved cuts being deflected out of the plane ofsaid clip portion in a direction to engage said pages and increase thehold of said clip portion on said pages, and an indicator portionadjacent said one end having a page indicating tongue integrally,flexibly connected to the body of said strip spaced from said clipportion adjacent said one end and formed from the material of said stripby slitting said strip from adjacent said end of said strip andextending past the integral hinge connections of said holding tongue tooverlap said clip portion and holding tongue and pages of a book onwhich said clip portion is engaged, said indicating tongue having anedge inclined to the longitudinal direction of said strip so thatunderlying pages will cam said indicating tongue out of their path assaid pages are turned.

5. A bookmark as claimed in claim 4, in which the indicator portion isconnected to the clip portion at an angle along a bend across the strip,to provide greater spacing of the indicating tongue and the holdingtongue when the clip portion is held in a book.

6. An automatically operating bookmark formed from a substantially planestrip of flexible, resilient material which returns to its originalshape after being flexed in use, said book mark comprising a clipportion having a holding tongue in the plane of said clip portionconnected to the body of said strip by integral, flexible hingeconnections spaced from one end of said strip, said holding tongueextending toward the opposite end of said strip and being formed fromthe material of said strip by slitting said strip along the sides ofsaid tongue between said integral connections and the end of saidtongue, each end of the slit adjacent an integral hinge connectionterminating in an approximately semicircular cut to avoid stressconcentration and to provide space for pages of a book to which saidclip portion is applied without removal of material by said cut, thematerial encompassed by said semicircular out being deflected out of theplane of said clip portion in a direction to engage said pages andincrease the-hold of said clip portion on said pages, and an indicatorportion adjacent said one end having a page indicating tongueintegrally, flexibly connected to the body of said strip spaced fromsaid clip portion adjacent said one end and formed from the material ofsaid strip by slitting said strip from adjacent said end of said stripin a semicircular cut and extending linearly past the integral hingeconnections of said holding tongue to overlap said clip portion andholding tongue and pages of a book on which said clip portion isengaged, said marking tongue having an edge inclined to the longitudinaldirection of said strip so that underlying pages will cam said markingtongue out of their path as said pages are turned.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 793,826 7/1905 Damico 116l191,415,631 5/1922 Grimm 1161l9 1,977,931 10/1934 Woodley 116-1192,116,147 5/1938 Haessler 116--119 2,449,211 9/1948 Forsyth 116--1192,609,629 9/ 1952 Hubbard 116-119 2,717,572 9/1955 Kingman 116-1193,095,624 7/ 1963 Croisant 2466 FOREIGN PATENTS 25,090 1904 GreatBritain.

LOUIS J. CAPOZI, Primary Examiner.

